Cherish dialogue but don’t show it to the world, China to Dalai Lama

Jiang said that the “relevant authorities” had agreed to have “contact and consultation” with the Dalai Lama.

“We hope the Dalai could cherish this opportunity, recognise the situation and change his position, to take concrete measures to stop criminal acts of violence, stop disruption and sabotage of the Beijing Olympics, and separatist activities, so as to create conditions for the next step of talks,” she said.

After several weeks of sustained international pressure to reopen talks with the Tibetan leader, China had said it would hold a meeting with a “private representative” of the Dalai Lama, whom it has blamed for the unrest in Tibet.

Asked at what level the “specifics” were being worked out, Jiang said “I am not authorised to provide the information you asked for. I believe the relevant authorities will, according to the situation and developments, release the information in due course.” She brushed aside suggestions that the talks were due to “foreign pressure”. “Of course, it (such assumption) is wrong,” Jiang said, adding that on issues having a bearing on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, China “will never yield to any external pressure”.